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From quiet options to those that double up as an air purifier.
If you’ve ever experienced the panic that comes with trying to find a decent fan just as a record-breaking heatwave is announced, then you already know it’s worth investing in one ahead of time.
Just like garden furniture and BBQs, these summer staples inevitably fly off the shelves, but there are a lot of things to consider before clicking buy. Do you want one that’s whisper quiet? Energy efficient? Portable? Or one that connects to your Alexa? Some fans even double as air purifiers...
To help you on your hunt, we put tower fans to the test to find the ones that will actually make you more comfortable when it’s simply too hot to function. So, grab an iced latte and take a look at our top picks.
Compared to their smaller floor, wall, desk, box and window cousins, tower fans can give you a tailored breeze experience. Not only do they have height on their side, they also have a stylish modern look and you won’t have to worry about wall mounts or finding surface space. Plus, many of the models we tested also offer helpful smart features.
Here are some of the key things to consider before you buy.
Smart capabilities: Nothing says perfect 21st century summer quite like being able to control your fan from your phone. As well as models that can be activated via WiFi and Alexa voice control, you can also invest in a tower fan with app controls, which let you adjust the fan modes even if you’re not in the room. Fancy.
Oscillation: Do you want a fan that rotates to cover your whole living space? That’s where oscillation comes in. The tower fans we tested have different rotation options, from minimal movement to 360 degrees. If you’re looking for one to cover a whole room, opt for a model with a greater range of motion.
Air speeds: This is what you adjust to feel different breeze styles, with some of the tower fans we tested having up to 12 options. If you’re someone who wants maximum control over your breeze style, then look out for models with more air speed settings, ranging from gentle breeze to strong flow.
Night modes: Some tower fans also have night mode capabilities. As you can probably guess, night mode sets the fan to operate at a quieter volume so your bedroom can be cool and quiet at the same time.
Air purification: Some of the fans we tested also double as air purifiers. Very handy, we agree. These models tend to be more expensive, but you’ll benefit from filters that trap pollutants or even air systems that emit neutralising ions.
Great question. While testing the tower fans, we also measure how much electricity each one uses. The cost per hour for each fan ranges from 1.5p to 4p (based on an electricity rate of 34p per kilowatt at the time of testing), so although those pennies can quickly add up over an entire summer, enjoying your tower fan's cooling effects on a more occasional basis shouldn’t significantly bump up your bills.
Of course, turning your fan off while you’re not in the room will also help keep your electricity spend down.
This futuristic-looking all-rounder has 12 air speeds, a generous 130 degrees of adjustable oscillation, and tech that automatically alters its air flow according to the temperature around it. Our panel found it a real comfort booster, and it was one of the quietest models we tested.
It is a sizeable fan, so one to avoid if you’re after something discrete, but it wins bonus points for its air purifying functionality.
| WiFi connectivity | No |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | Yes |
| Air speeds | 12 |
| Weight | 10.3kg |
| Dimensions | W25 x D25 x H109 cm |
Dyson rarely lets us down, and this fan is no exception. It was the quietest on test and has the best range of movement – 350 degrees, in fact.
Its controls were responsive, and despite being lightweight it felt stable. It’s also energy efficient, has 10 air speeds and a night mode, and it purifies the air it distributes. Yes, it's expensive, but this sleek design combines style with substance.
| WiFi connectivity | No |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | Yes |
| Air speeds | 10 |
| Weight | 5kg |
| Dimensions | W20.4 x D12 x H105 cm |
This fan may be a bargain compared to the others listed here, but it still impressed on test. It had a higher maximum air speed than our two top scorers – the SmartAir and the Dyson – but only three settings, so you can't tailor it as much.
It was fairly noisy and doesn't feature a night mode, but it oscillated well and has a long cable for flexible positioning. We'd have liked a remote, but, crucially, our panel felt it improved their comfort.
| WiFi connectivity | No |
|---|---|
| Night mode | No |
| Remote control | No |
| Air purifier | No |
| Air speeds | 3 |
| Weight | 3.44kg |
| Dimensions | W24 x D24 x H76 cm |
Love smart tech? Well, with app control and Alexa compatibility, you'll enjoy using this smart fan. Our tester found the app easy to connect to and use, and it also worked from different rooms around the house.
Each of the three air speeds were effective and we were impressed with how quiet it was in use. It was the least energy efficient model we tested, although still not pricey to run.
| WiFi connectivity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | No |
| Air speeds | 3 |
| Weight | 5.4kg |
| Dimensions | W33 x D33 x H102 cm |
Fans aren't easy to hide, so it's understandable if you want one that also looks good. Enter this copper-coloured model. Not only is it chic, but it was also easy to use, has air freshening technology and tilts for extra control over its air flow.
While its highest setting was strong (and quiet!), its lowest wasn't that energy efficient. It was also wobbly, but we liked its handy digital room temperature display, which dims when in night mode.
| WiFi connectivity | No |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | Yes |
| Air speeds | 3 |
| Weight | 5.6kg |
| Dimensions | W31.1x D31.1 x H107 cm |
Short of cooking you a three-course dinner, this Dyson (yes, another one!) can do it all. Okay, there might be a touch of hyperbole there, but this fan has a whole host of best-in-class modes that you control via the snazzy MyDyson app. We loved the 10 different airflow settings and our expert was impressed with its dual humidifier capabilities, making it perfect for anyone who wants the relief of a strong breeze and ideal moisture levels in their home.
It goes without saying that it’s not a budget buy, so be sure you’ll use its impressive multi-functions before investing. Light sleeper? You're in luck – this fan’s night mode setting is oh-so quiet.
| WiFi connectivity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | Yes |
| Air speeds | 10 |
| Weight | 8.2kg |
| Dimensions | W28 x D31.2 x H92.3cm |
With the highest air speed on test, this fan will keep things nice and breezy. The strongest of its three settings was a little noisy, but its lowest was quiet.
It was intuitive to set up and use, with a useful remote and 90 degrees of oscillation. Its well-designed handle will make moving it around simple, too.
| WiFi connectivity | No |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Air purifier | No |
| Air speeds | 3 |
| Weight | 3.8kg |
| Dimensions | W24 x D17.5 x H80.3 cm |
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